How did Charles Gamble, then a 60-year-old gay man from Chicago, come to spend a day riding roller coasters with a 28-year-old, presumably straight, Australian man he met exiting the Pace bus at Six Flags Great America in 2024?
On the surface, they had little in common. But what began as a solo trip to the theme park turned into something more—a small but meaningful act of connection. This connection would not have happened without Gamble telling himself to “get out of your comfort zone,” he said.
For many older gay men, staying socially connected isn’t just for fun—it’s essential to their health, identity and sense of purpose. And by stepping out of his comfort zone to make a new friend that day, Gamble was combating those feelings of loneliness that many older gay men face.
Click here to read more. This piece was originally published by Windy City Times on July 8, 2025.
